South Brunswick Softball and Cricket Fields Ready for Spring Debut

Two sports that have seen significant growth in the township will be up and running with new upgrades in time for the spring season.

A project to install lights at the Reichler Park softball field has been completed, with a tentative opening day targeted for April 13. The township put up $250,000 from the South Brunswick open space fund for the Reichler Park lights, while a grant from Middlesex County covers the remaining $250,000 to pay for the project. 

"We have about 400 to 500 girls in the program and their fields have never been updated," said Mayor Frank Gambatese last year. "This goes a long way towards upgrading their fields."

In addition, the SBAA donated a new scoreboard to further enhance the facility, which will now be able to hold games in the evening, a first for the township softball program. 

Work has also been completed converting two fields located at Broadway Road and Friendship Road for the sport of cricket. The $50,000 project was paid for by an open space grant from Middlesex County.

Cricket is a bat and ball game featuring two teams with 11 players on the field. At the center of the field is a 22-yard long pitch. Runs are scored by the batsman hitting the ball and then running to the opposite end of the pitch and touching the crease without being dismissed. 

"Cricket is extremely popular in the East Asian and Indian communities and even with other communities," said Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz last year. "We know these fields will be in use and there was a big demand for it in South Brunswick."

Township officials estimated there are between 15 to 20 cricket groups in South Brunswick that will be utilizing the fields once play begins. Schmalz said last week that the fields are ready for spring league play.